Minutes - 2006/07/10 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 10, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 12 Council that Mr. Slabiak did not know he had to go through a variance process when he purchased the property. Councilmember Thomas asked the applicant how much square footage the collection currently occupies. Mr. Slabiak presented the Council with a layout of his current collection. He stated the collection currently resides in part of his garage, his lower level, a bedroom, and a storage unit. He stated he does not currently have a display and it will not fit in his current square footage. Mr. Caulsniak and Mr. Slabiak explained the dimensions of the areas that are currently occupied by his collection. Councilmember Thomas stated she is looking for the difference in the space the collection currently occupies versus the square footage for which Mr. Slabiak is asking. Mr. Slabiak responded he would like to clear out some family areas for his expanding family. He added the property owner behind him approves of the building. Councilmember Thomas stated there have been many changes with the allowed accessory building space and all have been to increase allowed accessory storage. She stated the square footage number was put in place to address large lots. She stated there was a significant limitation in the past and the current allowance is much broader and is the most generous amount allowed ever in the City. Councilmember Thomas stated she is in favor of more storage space, but the hardship is of the applicant's creation. Councilmember Thomas explained that the issue is a matter of the design of the building and she does believe a variance is detrimental to the code. She stated the Council should not make a determination based on lot size. She added that the Council takes variances very seriously and she believes the applicant could make the building smaller to satisfy the code. She stated that if the applicant wanted to add on to his house, it would be an entirely different issue. Mayor Marty stated that many discussions have revolved around accessory building in the past and Staff developed a generous accessory building ordinance. He stated he felt at the time that 1,800 square feet was large, but the ordinance has since decreased the amount of time spent discussing such variances. Mr. Slabiak explained that he had considered an addition to his house, but was under the impression that he would be allowed to build the accessory building when he purchased his home. He stated the costs are continually rising for the proposed building and building a home addition would be even more expensive. He stated his wife would like to remove the collection from the home. He also pointed out the building could be used in many different ways if he were to sell the property. Mr. Slabiak stated that within his constraints, the proposed accessory • building is his only option.